Jamaica Pays Respect to Late Venezuelan President Chavez

As a mark of respect for the life and work of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Hugo Chavez Frías and notably his contribution to the development of Jamaica, Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller has announced the following:

1) Wreaths will be laid on Thursday afternoon, March 7, at 4 o’clock at the statue of the Great Liberator, Simón Bolívar by Senator the Honourable A.J. Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, the Honourable Phillip Paulwell; the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Her Excellency Maria Mendoza Ortega and the Chairman of the Petro Caribe Development Fund and Financial Secretary, Mr. Devon Rowe.

2) On Friday, March 8 – the day of the funeral of President Chavez, the Jamaican flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset. The protocols with respect to flying of other flags shall apply.

3) High level government officials will sign the condolence book that has been opened at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

4) On Friday, Prime Minister the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller will lead the delegation attending the State Funeral of President Chavez. Other members of the delegation are: Senator, Hon. A.J. Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Minister of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining, the Honourable Phillip Paulwell; Her Worship Senator Angela Brown Burke, Mayor of Kingston and Vice President, People’s National Party; Senator Robert Montague, Opposition Representative and Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, Ambassador Clifton Stone, former Ambassador to Venezuela, along with the Prime Minister’s support and security team.